Devon & Cornwall Live: As it happened

The 80-bedroom hotel is part of a redevelopment on Plymouth Hoe.

Built on the site of the demolished Quality Hotel the latest plans include more bedrooms and a redesigned frontage.

Henley Real EstateCopyright: Henley Real Estate

The scheme also includes 88 apartments, conference facilities and a restaurant.

The team behind the project hope to begin construction later this year for completion in 2019.

It will be dry this evening but the cloud will thicken.

It should stay dry overnight but the winds will strengthen, especially along the coast and over higher ground like Hensbarrow Beacon and the Blackdown Hills. Minimum Temperature: 8C (46F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

Friday will start cloudy, but bright or sunny spells will develop. The winds will be strong though, with the risk of coastal gales. Maximum Temperature: 15C (59F).

A former Devon pub - which has already partially been turned into a supermarket - is set to become a Children's Day Nursery.

The Duke of Edinburgh is giving up his public duties in the autumn. 

Ross EllisCopyright: Ross Ellis

Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip, who'll be 96 next month, had the full support of the Queen in taking his decision. She will continue with all her engagements.

Steve, a former Royal Protection Officer from Bude worked for the Duke, said the Prince would always take a long walk before Royal Engagements to prepare for the time he would have to spend on his feet.

Record numbers of sheep and pigs have been entered for competitions at this year's Royal Cornwall Show, organisers say.

About 100 more sheep will take part with a total of 1,401 entries, whilst about 40 more pigs will be competing than last year, with a total of 261.

Cattle section entries have also experienced a rise in numbers, with an increase of 53 stalls booked compared to last year.

Royal Cornwall ShowCopyright: Royal Cornwall Show

Show secretary Christopher Riddle said: "The sheep, fleece, pig and cattle sections are part of the show’s agricultural roots and we’re proud to continue to provide a thriving showcase for the very best the industry has to offer."

Police say they are looking for a VW Lupo driver they believe may have information on a hit-and-run incident in Devon which left a young father fighting for his life.

Jason Bunce, 25, remains in intensive care almost a month after he was hit after a night out with friends in Kingsteington.

Jason Bunce and Ashleigh AckerleyCopyright: Jason Bunce and Ashleigh Ackerley

His girlfriend Ashleigh Ackerley told the BBC he has only managed to open one eye: "I hold his hand, stroke his hair... tell him that I love him".

She said she felt "desperation" for the offending driver to come forward.

Officers say they are increasingly concerned for the welfare of 14-year-old Shanay Murton, last seen at 10:00 today on Church Road, Redruth.

She is described as white, about 5ft 2in tall of a slight build with long, blonde hair.

When last seen she was wearing a Pool Academy school uniform which consisted of a dark blazer, white shirt, black skirt, a black tie with yellow stripes and a dark coloured coat with a furry hood.

An elderly man was found dead in his Devon home after a postman noticed mail piling up and raised concerns about his welfare, an inquest has heard.

• In Plympton Plymouth Road is closed inbound towards Marsh Mills and Cot Hill is blocked in both directions due to an earlier accident. Diversions are in place and surrounding roads are very busy
• In High Bullen the B3227 is partially blocked near Dodscott Cross due to an accident

MODCopyright: MOD

• The first Ten Tors expedition took place in September 1960
• Over the years interest in the challenge has grown and now up to 400 teams take part
• Camping overnight, the teams complete the challenge without adult guidance
• Competitors aged 14 to 19 hike distances of up to 55 miles (89 km)
• In 2013, the challenge saw its most significant overhaul in 30 years as army bosses attempted to improve safety and reduce the number of river crossings
• During the challenge teams visit 10 nominated tors, which are hills or rocky peaks

A deer has been filmed calmly swimming to shore in the sea at Porthpean, Cornwall.

Local representatives of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme have thanked Prince Philip for his "inspiration", after the announcement he is to stand down from royal duties.

Buckingham Palace says the Queen's husband, who is 95, has her full support in taking the decision.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Prince Philip, pictured here at St Michael's Mount in 2013, has made many visits to the South West of England.

Mary Crook, secretary of the Cornwall Panel of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, said: "It is the end of an era but I know that it will go forward. I don't think it's the end of the award.

"We thank the Duke for all the hours and the work and the inspiration he has given us throughout these six decades," she added.

A sailor's been rescued by lifeboat crews after his boat started taking on water two miles off the coast of Exmouth. 

The man was picked up just before 12:00 today and taken to Starcross pier.

Officials said his boat, the Shannon, wasn't seaworthy and that he shouldn't go out in it again.

The casualty was wearing a life jacket but his VHF radio wasn't connected. The only way he could get help was by using a torch to flash SOS, the RNLI said.

A motorcyclist has died following a crash in Plympton.

Emergency services were called to the collision between a white Vauxhall Combo van and a black KTM 690 motorcycle at the bottom of Cot Hill on Plymouth Road at 11:05.

The 60-year-old motorcyclist from Plympton had serious injuries and was airlifted to Derriford Hospital by air ambulance. He died at hospital, police said.

Cot Hill has been closed and traffic diverted along Valley Road and via Underlane.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Devon

• On the M5 southbound between Wellington and Tiverton we've got reports there's a tyre on the road
• In Plympton, Plymouth Road is closed inbound towards Marsh Mills and Cot Hill in both directions due to a serious accident. Surrounding roads are busy  
• In High Bullen on the B3227 near Dodscott Cross we've got reports there's an accident  
• In Crediton, the A377 High Street is partially blocked due to an accident near St Saviour's Way

Cornwall

• At Launceston on A30 eastbound between A388 Western Road and Callington turn-off one lane is closed due to a broken-down lorry and oil spill
• In Falmouth on the A39 Dracaena Avenue at Clifton Terrace there are temporary traffic lights and roadworks. Traffic is slow moving
• In Stratton on the A39 near the A3072 Stratton Road there are temporary traffic lights for roadworks. Slow traffic in the area

Emergency services were called out to a Newquay beach on Thursday morning after a man suffered a suspected broken leg.

The girlfriend of a 25-year-old man seriously injured in a "hit-and-run" in Devon says she is "desperate" for answers. 

Ashleigh Ackerley says the father of her 13-week-old baby, Jason Bunce, remains in hospital fighting for his life. 

She has again appealed for the driver involved in the incident in Kingsteignton last month to come forward.

Ashleigh AckerleyCopyright: Ashleigh Ackerley

Ashleigh said she had this message for the individual: "Just come forward – if it was any member of your family you would feel the exact same way we’re feeling. Desperate, angry, upset".

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said they wished to reassure Mr Bunce's family they are "doing all they can" to track down the offender.

A house has been damaged by a fire in Liskeard town centre.

Crews from Callington and Liskeard attended the blaze on Wednesday evening.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and put out the blaze before it spread to the rest of the property, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said.

No-one was injured.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Cornwall Fire and Rescue ServiceCopyright: Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service